Frogge ‘astounded’ by Dean’s opposition to using schools’ reserves for new technology

Metro school board member Amy Frogge says she’s astounded that Mayor Karl Dean doesn’t support the use of the district’s rainy-day fund to purchase new computers and technology.

The school board had voted last month to use $14.8 million from its fund balance to purchase new technology for Common Core assessments and training. The idea: Get a head start on the implementation of the controversial new assessments set to begin next year.

The district plans to go forward with the purchase of equipment. Lacking Dean’s backing on the use of reserves, though, it would likely need to be carved out in the district’s operating budget, which officials claim is staring at a $23 million shortfall.

“It is a responsible move to use our fund balance to prepare for testing while maintaining enough funds for future needs. Astoundingly, Mayor Dean responded by vowing to block the use of our fund balance for this purpose,” Frogge wrote in a Facebook post.

She called the impact of the decision “very real” before recounting a story of a Nashville classroom of 18 students that is currently sharing two computers.

“I could speculate about why the Mayor’s office has opposed our request, but I will not. I will, however, say that the quickest way to sabotage our test results is to prevent us from being properly prepared for new tests that the State has imposed on us. If you agree, you might consider contacting the Mayor’s office to politely express your opinion:”